Echium is a genus of about 70 plants that are native to Europe, N. Africa and Central Asia and are in the Boraginaceae (or Forget-me-not) family. These plants have naturalized in areas as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and parts of South America and the United States. In some counties, they have become invasive. Echiums can be perennial, evergreen or semi-evergreen. They can be shrubs to short-lived perennials that die after flowering. Two years of growth must be completed before flowering will take place. Although some varieties will die after flowering, they will provide enough seed for the next year. Most types have deep tap roots to survive drought, narrow thick hairy leaves and tall showy spikes of blue, purple, pink, red or white tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees. These plants prefer well-drained soils in full sun. They are drought and deer tolerant and most survive on neglect. If you live in a cold winter climate, some types can be grown in a pot and brought indoors for winter. Pruning is not necessary, however, a trim in the fall as well as the removal of the old flower spikes will give you a neater appearance while preventing the plant from becoming straggly. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Shelter from strong winds is advisable.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry | Very Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Rosulate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Prickly; Rough
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Coarsely hairy, alternate, simple bristly, lance-shaped to elliptical leaves that vary in size. Some produce a rosette of leaves the first year and then a stem the second or third year.
Flower color
Blue; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower detail
Many 5 petaled tubular flowers are produced on tall spikes. They can be blue, pink, red, white or purple and vary in size. Bloom time can be spring or summer depending on the species.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Schizocarp
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Schizocarps dividing into mostly 4 nutlets
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Green stems that may have purple spotting and many hairs
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Macaronesia, Europe to Central Asia, N. Africa
Distribution
Naturalized in US
Wildlife value
Host plant to some Lepidoptera species including Coleophora onosmella and orange swift. Hummingbirds are attracted to the tubular flowers.
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! Digestive upset and liver damage as well as skin irritation from the coarse hairs.